Newcastle United are just 180 minutes away from reaching a first domestic cup final since 1999, and Kieran Trippier is well aware of what he and this Toon teammates could be about to achieve.
The Magpies face Southampton in the Carabao Cup semi final, with the first leg set to take place at St Mary’s Stadium on Tuesday night. The return leg then takes place at St James’ Park the following week.
Eddie Howe’s side go into the fixture as favourites. We are third in the Premier League, while Southampton are rock bottom. On top of that, we won 4-1 when we took on the Saints earlier in the season.
However, they have since changed manager, and new boss Nathan Jones pulled off a real surprise to book Southampton’s place in the final four by beating Manchester City.
Newcastle know not to underestimate their opponents, but cup fever truly is gripping the Toon Army right now.
There is a real buzz in the city, and Trippier and co are well aware of what they could be about to achieve thanks to some encouraging words from two Newcastle players.
Trippier aware of ‘great opportunity’ Newcastle now have
Ahead of the game, Trippier has been speaking to NUFC TV about the possibility of reaching the Carabao Cup final.
“It’s a great opportunity for us to reach the final,” Trippier said.
“The club has not been in a final for so long. Dan Burn and Sean Longstaff always remind us of that and what it means to the supporters and themselves as they’re big Newcastle fans. We know how much it means as a team and as a club to try and reach the final.
“It’s important you have homegrown lads here, Burny and Longy, and a lot of the staff members as well, who try and drill it into the players what it means to the club, to the supporters, to reach a final – what it would mean to actually win a trophy at this club.”
Huge chance for Newcastle
For the first time in a long time, Newcastle fans believe. There is belief that the club can be successful. There is belief that silverware could be on its way to St James’ Park.
That is something that has not happened since 1969. The club has not won a domestic trophy since 1955.
It is a record that has haunted Newcastle for decades, getting longer and longer year after year. But now the club are two games away from reaching the League Cup final, and go into the tie as favourites.
The fans are up for the cup, and so are the players. The role of the local lads like Burn and Longstaff is crucial. They know what it means to the fans, because they are fans themselves as well as players.
While it isn’t a team made up of Geordies, every member of Howe’s squad understands the importance of the Carabao Cup semi final. Trippier has stated that Burn and Longstaff have made it very clear, and it will mean even more to them if Newcastle can book their place at Wembley next month.